Berliner Glas Optical Systems Launched into Orbit

The European Space Agency has launched the first satellite of its SpaceDataHighway data relay structure, housing optical components made by Berliner Glas Group.

EDRS-A, the first element of the European Data Relay System (EDRS) constellation of geosynchronous satellites, was launched into geostationary orbit by a Proton rocket on board the Eutelsat 9B communications satellite.

EDRS will relay data between satellites, spacecrafts, unmanned aerial vehicles and ground stations, ensuring that low-orbiting devices will be able to send their information down to Earth in near-real time. EDRS-A is equipped with a laser communication terminal developed by Tesat-Spacecom GmbH & Co. KG., containing several optical components and systems manufactured by Berliner Glas.

Copernicus, the European Earth-monitoring program, will be the first user of the SpaceDataHighway. Copernicus’ Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-2A satellites, already located in low-Earth orbit, are equipped with laser communication terminals. Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-2A will soon transmit their data to EDRS-A via laser and sent directly to Earth.

EDRS-C, the second geostationary satellite of the EDRS, will be launched into orbit on board an Ariane 5 rocket. EDRS-C will compelte the second section of the SpaceDataHighway.

The SpaceDataHighway is a commercially operated data relay infrastructure, facilitating immediate data transfer for low-Earth-orbit satellites and airborne platforms.